Game-day Meal: Feast of the Sea

It's pretty safe to say that the summer heat has certainly settled in around us. Scorching days with record-setting temperatures don't typically inspire us spend a lot of time in our kitchens slaving over a hot stove.

But summertime is the perfect time to cook a dish like the one we're featuring this week. Using fresh fish along with herbs and vegetables straight from your garden or farmer's market, you can create a light and delicious meal without even breaking a sweat.

Many thanks to our South American correspondent for another tasty Brazilian recipe!

São Paulo, BR. -- The fishing tradition and heritage of indigenous culture in Brazil, profoundly influenced regional Capixaba cuisine, making it eclectic, a product of many influences such as Portuguese, Africans and peoples of northern Europe. To explain, Capixaba refers to people from Espirito Santo, a heavily-forested state on the eastern coast of Brazil. Rovena, a member of the All Habs team, is Capixaba.

With the arrival of other European immigrants new dishes were added to the Capixaba cuisine. Among the most famous dishes we can mention is Moqueca, a delicious seafood stew made with onions, garlic, cilantro and coconut milk.

Moqueca

Ingredients

2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup canned or jarred hearts of palm, drained and diced
2 plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
5 tablespoons dendê oil (you can use extra-virgin olive oil or peanut oil)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 1/4 pounds sea bass, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup freshly chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup freshly chopped yellow bell pepper
1 1/2 cups fish stock (you can substitute clam juice, low-sodium chicken broth, or equal amounts of both)
1 scallion (white and green parts), chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 small piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 cup coconut milk

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together half of the scallion, half of the onion, half of the ginger, and half of the garlic. Add 2 tablespoons of the dendê oil, all of the olive oil, and half of the cilantro. Place the chunks of fish in a resealable plastic bag and add the marinade, pressing the bag to evenly coat the fish. Remove all of the air from the plastic bag and seal it. Place the bag in a shallow bowl, making sure the chunks of fish are completely covered by the marinade, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Take the fish out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the oven to 175C(350F)

3. Place the remaining 3 tablespoons of the dendê oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the remaining scallion and onion along with the green and yellow bell peppers, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the remaining ginger and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring to combine, for another minute or until it’s hot. Add the fish stock and let it come to a full boil. Add the coconut milk and tomato paste and return to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to medium-low or so and simmer the sauce, nice and gently, while you prepare the fish.

5. In the meantime, place the fish and its marinade in a gratin or casserole dish. Pour the lemon juice on top and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until the fish is almost but not quite cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Carefully transfer each chunk of fish to the pan with the gently simmering sauce. Add any juices in the dish from the fish and marinade. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook just until the fish is soft and tender, 5 to 8 minutes.

7. Uncover the pan, add the hearts of palm and tomatoes, and just let them get hot, which will take only a minute or two.

8. Taste the moqueca, season it with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the remaining fresh cilantro.

Variations

Moqueca de Camarão: Substitute shrimp for the fish. A very popular variation.

Use any type of seafood you like: crab, mussels, lobster.

For a lighter stew, substitute water or stock for 1 cup of the coconut milk.


photo credit: www.1-2-3artdinner.com


Share YOUR favourite game-day meal or snack with us! Send your recipe and a photo of the finished product to amy@allhabs.net today!

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All Habs Hockey Party in Montreal: Habs vs Flyers

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Our mission here at All Habs is "to build a world-wide network of Montreal Canadiens fans who are informed, engaged, entertained, and connected".  "It's more than just meeting for hockey - it's growing potential friendships," says our friend Karine - perfectly summing up the reason why All Habs Hockey Parties are the premiere way to bring Habs fans together!

Karine and her boyfriend James attended their first All Habs Hockey Party last weekend.  James is a writer for All Habs and says, "I knew about the All Habs parties before, they are quite famous on Twitter."  A Laval native (and life-long Habs fan), James admits that a little bit of shyness had prevented him from attending in the past but decided it was time to find out what all the festivities were about.  "I was very excited at the thought of meeting new people that shared the same passion I have for hockey!"

It was the March All Habs Night at McLean's Pub in Montreal and the Habs were slated to take on the Flyers.  As is the case with every monthly All Habs event at McLean's, attendees who had RSVP'd via Twitter or Facebook had special reserved seating in the center of the pub with fantastic views of the surrounding television screens, along with beer specials and menu discounts.  This was also James and Karine's first visit to McLean's.  "The multimedia setup (TVs, sound) was awesome and when I saw the menu I thought, 'Oh well this is a great start!'" says Karine.

Soon they were joined by dozens of other Habs fans who were just as thrilled to meet each other and reunite with friends.  They, along with the full house of bar patrons, were ready to cheer on the Canadiens in a conference rivalry matchup.  Karine was pleasantly surprised at how warmly she and other first-timers were received.  "It was easy to relate with other people, there was no pressure at all!  Everyone was so welcoming!"  James agrees, stating, "I felt at home, I felt like I found a new group of people where I belonged."

At intermission it was time for the All Habs Trivia Challenge, which focused on Habs vs. Flyers history.  Jay Farrar took over the microphone from behind the bar and led the entire pub through the Trivia Challenge (with some jokes along the way of course!).

The competition was tough but after the results were tallied we had quite a few winners!  Prizes included tickets to the Habs Hall of Fame and gift certificates to McLean's Pub.  Even our server-extraordinaire Adrienne won a Habs car flag!

But we didn't stop there - other participants were awarded for having "alternative" prize potential.  A t-shirt honouring the participant who answered every question with the same answer went to Katherine.

It also pays to NOT win!  The award for the person who had answered the most questions incorrectly was a signed Toronto Blue Jays baseball.

And finally the prize for the most creative answers went to Karine. "I had no clue what to write, so I decided to go with funny answers."  Looks like it paid off!

Even though the evening didn't end with a Canadiens win, James says it was a definitely a night to remember.  "It was an experience I will never forget, and I look forward to future All Habs Hockey Parties!"

Luckily there isn't long to wait since the next All Habs Hockey Party at McLean's Pub is Saturday, April 7th for the Habs vs Leafs game, which is the final game of the regular season.  You don't want to miss out on all the fun!  Be sure to click HERE to RSVP and reserve your seat at the best Habs fan event around!

And don't worry, the All Habs crew celebrates hockey 365 days a year, so be sure to follow @All_Habs and @habstweetup on Twitter to stay updated on Hockey Party announcements for events throughout the summer!

Check out the complete photo album from this event by clicking HERE!

Photo credits:  Pablo Ortiz

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All Habs Hockey Party in Montreal: Habs vs. Leafs

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Sometimes there's just nothing better than a Habs win over the Leafs, you know? Well, nothing except a Habs SHUTOUT over the Leafs! And to top things off, getting to watch the Canadiens blank the Maple Leafs surrounded by a fun-loving and excited group of devoted hockey fans makes the whole evening even more memorable.

I must say a big thank you to Old Man Winter for having such a calm temperament this year in order to allow me to make the road trip to Montreal during a season that's usually too unpredictable weather-wise for driving.  (Although admittedly I was quite giddy to see so much snow on the ground when I arrived in Montreal.)

But even if it HAD snowed, nothing could have kept me from trekking north for the inaugural All Habs Night at McLean's hockey party! Recently, a new partnership was announced between All Habs and McLean's Pub (you can read more about it HERE) and one of the most exciting parts of that announcement involves a monthly All Habs Hockey Party fan event at McLean's.  So what better way to kick things off than with a Habs/Leafs matchup on Hockey Day in Canada? We also dubbed the evening as "Bring a Buddy" night - because more is always merrier!

As a result, we not only had the chance to reconnect with friends and familiar faces, but we were also thrilled to welcome some new folks into the mix as well.  Some of them came to us courtesy of a new promotion outreach via the All Habs Facebook page while others, like Emily (@hockey_princess) were enticed to come out because of the excitement of All Habs/McLean's partnership news.

Emily (@hockey_princess)

"I was a little hesitant to go at first because I figured everyone would already know each other and I would be the odd one out.  But that wasn't the case, I was welcomed with open arms!"

A native of a small New Brunswick town named Stanley (about thirty minutes north of Fredericton), Emily just moved to Montreal two months ago, at the beginning of December, and has been a Habs fan for as long as she can remember (thanks to her dad).

"I had heard of tweetups before and they looked like a fun way to enjoy a game.  I also thought it would be a good way to make some new friends in the city."

Thanks to our friends at McLean's, Emily and the rest of the attendees who had reserved their seat with the All Habs group via Twtvite or Facebook were given the VIP treatment:  prime seating in the center of the dining area with perfect views of many of the big-screen televisions, discounted prices on the pub's hockey menu, and beer specials.  With more than twenty people seated in our group, it was great to see so many people in the pub sporting an All Habs nametag!

Throughout the evening, manager Jay Farrar was master of the microphone, getting the entire bar pumped up for the rivalry game against the Leafs and playing the part of emcee for the All Habs Trivia Challenge.  This time we took the Trivia Challenge to a whole new level - trivia was open to everyone in the pub!

The questions were focused on Hockey Day in Canada - something to really test those trivia gurus!  Enticed by the prospect of winning one of many prizes, more than 80 people battled to get the most answers right or, more importantly, come up with the most creative answers.

Needless to say, we had lots of winners!  Prizes included a very chic Montreal Canadiens hat, two sporty All Habs t-shirts, as well as two gift certificates to Mac's Taps, an Alexander Keith's t-shirt and a hat all generously donated by McLean's Pub.  Of course the most coveted prize of all was a NASCAR mug awarded to the person with the worst answers.  Who says we don't have a sense of humour?

People all around the pub were buzzing, asking when the next event would be held and looking forward to the next chance to win prizes and test their trivia skills.  Others wanted to know how to be included with the All Habs VIP group at the next event.

Perhaps you're wondering the same thing as you read this?  Just be sure to RSVP for our next All Habs Night at McLean's on March 24th - it's that easy!  So sign up, tell your friends and family to do the same, and make sure you don't miss out on the next All Habs Hockey Party.

Oh, and as for that shutout?  Well the Habs REALLY made it a special night by completing dominating the Leafs in a 5-0 win.  It was a very fun game to watch with so many friends!  And we're happy to report that our friend Emily went home at the end of the evening having made a whole group of friends to interact with in her new home.  "It was great, the atmosphere in the pub was awesome."

Check out the complete photo album for this event by clicking HERE!

Also, be sure to reserve your seat early for our next All Habs Night at McLean's on March 24th when the Habs take on the Flyers AND on April 7th for the last game of the season against the Leafs.

Go Habs Go!

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Habs Tweetup in Toronto: A FANtastic Event!

by Dayes, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

TORONTO, ON -- Maybe it was an omen. I woke up Saturday morning to a city of white...but diehard Habs fans don’t let a few inches of pesky snowflakes stand in their way – not even in Leafs Nation. February 11, 2012 was the date of the most recent Habs-Leafs showdown, and what better way to spend it than with 25 of your closest Tweeple. That’s right! Behold! The Habs Tweetup – Tdot edition!

At 6:00 pm St. Louis Bar and Grill, in the heart of downtown Toronto, was adopted by Montreal. The CH filled the upper level. Okay, maybe the CH didn’t fill the upper level. Officially, in attendance at the Habs Tweetup were 14 Habs fans and 12 Leafs fans. While we won (but did not dominate) in bodies, we conquered in sound. You would have thought you were at the Bell Centre!

With a somewhat slow first period, the expected disappointed groans and Tortorella-style armchair coaching for both teams were surprisingly subdued.

Or maybe people were too busy eating the mounds of food that arrived 10 minutes into the first period. What is this food I speak of? There were four enormous plates of nachos and four heaping plates of poutine – all courtesy of St. Louis Bar & Grill! What can I say? They were absolutely stellar hosts.

As the second period got under way, the cordial niceties started to wane and the Habs started what would become an onslaught on the Leafs net. And with each goal, the mostly silent bar erupted in loud cheering. Many of the patrons on the lower levels of the bar were thoroughly confused by our enthusiasm.

During the second intermission, it was time to pay homage to a Jaroslav that had served Montreal for many years. And this time, it was the Spatchoman himself. Coordinated by @kuyaz, the Habs fans (and even a couple of Leafs fans) sang a glorious rendition of “Happy Birthday” to everyone’s favourite Spaceman. Jaroslav Spacek, Happy 38^th Birthday! From the Habs fans in Toronto!

In honour of Hockey Day in Canada the All Habs Trivia Challenge focused on Hockey Day-related questions, putting everyone's hockey knowledge to the test!  It was @mbouf who reigned supreme, winning a generously donated $25 gift card courtesy of the good people at St. Louis. (If you want to find out about her experience at the Habs Tweetup, you can check out her review of the event.)  Our other winners were Kelly Anne (an attendee via our Facebook event), and @PatrickFarrell1, who both won micro-Habs jerseys.

All in all, it was a successful event. The turnout was great. The people at St. Louis took excellent care of us. Oh, and did I mention that the Habs beat the Leafs 5-0? That's right! Blanchissage, baby!!! There was so much cheering with each goal, that by the time we got to the end of the game @kuyaz and I had lost our voices. We couldn’t even sing Olé!

So next time you hear or read about Habs Tweetup in Toronto (or any city, for that matter), make a point to attend. It’s all part of surviving in Leafs Nation, and if nothing else, it’s a great party! @kuyaz and I (@cokeaddict) would love to see you there.

GO HABS GO!!

Photo credits: Dayes (for all photos, click HERE)

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RSVP for a Habs Tweetup today! Click HERE

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Kicking Off 2012, Habs Tweetup Style!

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Happy New Year! It's hard to believe that we've already rung in a new year - have you kept your resolutions so far? If so, congratulations! Perhaps "try something new this year" made your list of goals? Well if you're a Habs fan why not try a Habs Tweetup? There's no better way to kick off the new year than getting together with a great group of Habs fans and friends to cheer on the Montreal Canadiens!

If you've never attended a Habs Tweetup (or even if you have and are looking forward to your next one), we've got plenty of opportunities for you right around the corner.  Be sure to click the RSVP link at the bottom of the page to reserve your seat!

First up, we kick off 2012 at McLean's Pub in Montreal on Saturday, January 14th to watch the Habs take on the Senators. Good food, good friends, an All Habs Trivia Challenge, and prizes make a winning combination for a fun night you won't want to miss!

Planning on being in the Pittsburgh area on Friday, January 20th for the Habs vs. Penguins game?  A Vasco bus tour from Montreal will be heading down for the event and we're planning a Habs Tweetup for fans to meet and mingle before the game!  Stay tuned for additional information regarding the venue, or contact us for more details.

Next we join our friends from TSN 990's "The Franchise" on Saturday, January 21st for a Habs Tweetup and "Guaranteed Win Night" Hockey Party at Brasserie Sports 40 in Anjou, Quebec. All Habs readers will be given special VIP passes for food and drink as well as chances to win great prizes like tickets, a jersey, gift certificates and more! Tickets for the drawing can be purchased at the event, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting "Team In Training" (a nonprofit fundraising program of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

Looking ahead to February, our Habs friends in Toronto will also have a change to get together for a Habs Tweetup!  The place to be on Saturday, February 11th is Hoops Sports Bar & Grill on Bremner.  The Canadiens take on the Maple Leafs this night and Habs fans will unite to cheer their team on to victory!  An All Habs Trivia Challenge and prizes will also be on tap for the event, so be sure to reserve your seat early.

To reserve your seat for any of the events listed above, click on the "RSVP for a Habs Tweetup" tab at the top of the page.  When you arrive at any Habs Tweetup event, ask to be seated with the All Habs group to join the fun.  Be sure to show your Canadiens pride and come dressed in your best Habs gear!

These are just a few of the fun-filled fan events we've got planned for this year, so keep checking HabsTweetup.com and follow @habstweetup on Twitter to stay updated on events as they are announced.

Go Habs Go!

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Apple Cider Snickerdoodles

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Many holiday cookie recipes tend to come from relatives, passed down generation after generation like a family heirloom. They're familiar, comforting, and something to look forward to every year.

But sometimes a new twist to a traditional cookie can be just the thing to spice up your dessert table. Today's recipe takes a classic favorite, the snickerdoodle, and turns it into something a little extra special. And instead of apple chips, this recipe could be modified with your own creative add-in!

Apple Cider Snickerdoodles

Recipe courtesy of FoodNetwork.com

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups apple cider
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 3 tablespoons for rolling
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsps. finely chopped red and green crispy apple chips, plus whole chips for garnish
2 tsps. apple pie spice

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Heat the cider in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Continue to cook until syrupy and reduced to about 2 tablespoons, 12 to 14 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Whisk the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl until smooth.

4. Beat the butter with 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar and the light brown sugar in a separate bowl on medium-high speed until fluffy and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Beat in the reduced cider and the egg (the mixture may look slightly curdled). Stir in the flour mixture and 1/4 cup of the chopped apple chips until combined.

6. Stir together the remaining 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of chopped apple chips and the apple pie spice in a small bowl.

7. Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls, using lightly moistened hands if the dough is too sticky, and then roll in the spiced sugar mixture.

8. Place the dough balls 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets and top with a few pieces of whole apple chips.

9. Bake until the edges are just set but centers are still soft, 11 to 13 minutes, rotating pans halfway through the baking time. Cool 2 to 3 minutes on the baking sheet, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next recipe: Soft Gingersnaps!

Did you miss one of our previous cookie recipes? Find them here:
Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons
Day 2 - Almond Kisses
Day 3 - Banana Bread Cookies
Day 4 - Melomakarona
Day 5 - The Original Chocolate Chip Cookie
Day 6 - Chocolate Chip Bites with Salted Caramel Glaze

photo credits: Amy Johnson, FoodNetwork.com, Squidoo.com, SouthernPlate.com

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Melomakarona

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- It's Friday, so celebrate! If your weekend is filled with holidays parties to host or attend, we've got a delicious dessert for you offer guests. Our fourth installment of The Twelve Cookies of Christmas are delightfully sweet little golden pieces of dough called Melomakarona!

Also considered "honey macaroons", melomakarona is a traditional Greek Christmas cookie soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with walnuts. Today's unique recipe comes to us courtesy of All Habs team member Effie (@MistressFE0503) and they sounded so good, I couldn't wait to try these cookies!

Melomakarona (Honey & Spice Cookies)

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

COOKIES:

1 1/2 cups sunflower oil

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 cup brandy

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup fine-ground semolina

1 tsp. baking soda

grated peel of 1 orange

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

2 cups finely chopped walnuts

SYRUP:

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

2 cups honey

3-4 whole cloves

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). If using a convection oven, preheat to 320 degrees F (160 degrees C).

2. Dissolve the baking soda in the orange juice.

3. Add the flour, semolina, sugar, orange peel, cinnamon, and cloves to a large bowl and whisk until blended. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

4. Pour the sunflower oil, orange juice, and brandy into the well. Incorporate the liquid into the flour with your hands, kneading the dough until it becomes sticky.

5. Take a chestnut-sized piece of dough and roll it in your hands to create a log. Press the dough gently with your fingers on one side to flatten slightly. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet (use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup).

6. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before moving on to step #7.

7. Once the cookies are cool, start preparing the syrup by adding the water, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a wide pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, skimming and discarding the foam that develops on top.

 

8. Reduce heat to low and remove the cinnamon stick and cloves. Add enough cookies to cover the bottom of the pan and gently press down on them with a spatula to keep them submerged for about a minute to soak up the syrup.

9. Remove the cookies using a slotted spoon to allow the excess syrup to drain off. Place on a large serving dish and sprinkle each layer of cookies with chopped walnuts.

Effie says these cookies should not be refrigerated and to cover them well with plastic wrap or store them in tins so that they don't dry out. "They'll last for several days - if they aren't eaten by then. At my mom's they don't last!"

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next great recipe: The Quintessential Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Did you miss one of our cookie recipes? You can find them all here:

Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons

Day 2 - Almond Kisses

Day 3 - Banana Bread Cookies

photo credits: Amy Johnson

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Banana Bread Cookies

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Sometimes the best Christmas cookies don't have to be overly fancy or complex - they just need to invoke feelings of comfort and familiarity.  Our third recipe in The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies combines two of my favorite sweet treats: banana bread and chocolate chip cookies.

These soft, chewy delights are best right out of the oven with a tall glass of milk but since banana bread is technically a popular breakfast item, I say enjoy them any time of day!

Banana Bread Cookies
Recipe courtesy of Woman's Day

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Beat butter, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs, banana, and vanilla until well blended and banana is completely mashed.

4. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour to banana mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips (and macadamia nuts, if using).

5. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased baking sheet.

6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.  (Now would be the perfect time to sneak a few while they're warm!)

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our fourth recipe in The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Melomakarona (Honey & Spice Cookies)!

Did you miss a day of cookie recipes?  Find them all here:
Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons
Day 2 - Almond Kisses


photo credits: Amy Johnson, Rose's Recipes, Baking Bites, and The Tasty Gardener

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Almond Kisses

photo credit: Amy Johnson

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Ready to restock your cookie tray? It's time for the second round of our Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies! Today's Almond Kisses recipe comes to us courtesy of another one of our All Habs team members: Chantal (aka @habsgirl4life).

Chantal describes these treats as a "delicious almond cookie baked with a Hershey's kiss in the middle". She also notes that this recipe makes a LOT of cookies, so she usually cuts the recipe measurements in half. (Unless you're having a party or attending a cookie exchange where you'll need 10 to 12 dozen cookies!)

I made fairly big cookies, but it's possible to get more out of the dough by making the cookies bite-sized. The chocolate lover in your house will certainly love these! Happy baking!

Almond Kisses

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1/8 cup molasses
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt (if using salted almonds, cut salt to 1/2 tsp.)
1 1/2 cups finely ground almonds
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
26 oz. Hershey's Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, with oven rack in center position.

2. Place butter in microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave until just melted.

3. Add sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and molasses. Stir until well blended, then add the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix well.

4. Grind the almonds in a food processor. (I used unsalted slivered almonds.)

5. Add them to the bowl and mix throughout the batter.

6. Stir in the beaten eggs. Gradually add the flour to the batter and continue to mix until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.

7. Allow the dough to rest and firm up for a few minutes. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls with your hands and place on a greased cookie sheet. (You could also use parchment paper, as shown below.)

8. Unwrap the Hershey's Kisses and press the base of one piece of candy into the top of each cookie ball.

9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. The chocolate will soften but will not melt and lose their shape.) Cool cookies for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to completely cool. Enjoy!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next recipe: Banana Bread Cookies!

Did you miss a day of cookies? You can find them here:
Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons


photo credits: Amy Johnson

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A Habs Fan's Survival Guide (Part 2): Making Friends in Leafs Nation

by Dayes, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)


Chapter Two – The Company We Keep

You’d think it’d be a lonely life here in Leafs Nation as a Habs fan, but not so. I’ve lived in Toronto approximately five times longer than I lived in Montreal (but Montreal is still my hometown), but I can say I definitely have no shortage of friends.

So how does a Habs fan survive in Leafs Nation? In Chapter One, I describe my means of dealing with mouthy strangers. But you can only dish it out for so long. Eventually, you have to make friends. Here are a few basic guidelines on how to maintain a healthy social life in the Tdot.


Leafs-Habs diplomacy 101
If you are always around diehard Leafs fans, I strongly suggest you add a fine tuning control knob to your expression of Habs love. I’m not saying you should censor yourself (especially since Chapter One was all about not censoring yourself). But I am saying that you don’t have to be obnoxious and in-your-face about it when you’re around die-hard Leafs fans, especially since you are in enemy territory. Make friends with them based on other similar interests/common ground (food is usually a good one – more on that later) and limit your trash talk to when you watch games together.


Bribery
Toronto is a great food city. There are so many options in all price ranges and all cuisines. BUT there are two things that Toronto does NOT have that we Montrealers can use to bribe Leafs fans into submission. Very few of them are ever able to resist the gloriousness that is Montreal smoked meat and Montreal bagels. Everyone knows my family worships at Schwartz’s Deli, but Torontonians can’t be so selective.

They’ll take what they can get. And the places in Toronto that claim to serve Montreal smoked meat or Montreal-style bagels are just so substandard, that no one has ever rejected my offer to bring back food from Montreal. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who has regular access to Montreal smoked meat and bagels? I know you’re going to say vegetarians and those with gluten sensitivities, but I have another tactic for them.


Everyone wants to be like you
You need to be fun to hang out with. I don’t care what team you love, if you’re not fun, I don’t want to hang out with you. BUT, if you’re a lot of fun, even *Leafs fans* will want to hang out with you. They’ll be willing to suffer the cost of admission, which is trash talking the Leafs. Be the life of the party. If you’re the most awesome person they know, they won’t care that you’re a Habs fan. In fact, some of them can be converted.

But don’t tell them I said that.


Make friends with other Habs fans
This obviously seems like a no-brainer, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. It’s not because Habs fans are hiding, but there are just *so* many people from all over, that sometimes you find yourself surrounded by people who love a non-hockey sport (I know, shocking, eh?). However, do not despair. The birth of Twitter and other social media has made finding people with similar interests so much easier that all you need to do to find awesome Habs fans is come out to a Habs Tweetup. I have Habs fan friends that I met prior to Twitter, but meeting many diehard fans has become much easier. So come out to our next Toronto Habs Tweetup event!! You won’t regret it!!

Follow Dayes on Twitter: @cokeaddict

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